I have experienced the fear of God in those whove been to hell and back in this life, from loss, or suffering, or anguish, who changed from closing to opening hearts, and who are looking to give love to those around. I sensed this fear of God in those who can say, “I know Jesus, he loves me, I love him, and we love you, no matter what”. That’s the Gospel the world needs to hear.
Despite disincentives and persecution, people [in the early church] were drawn to churches in which there was spiritual power, question-posing behavior and a combination of catholicity with community. But what was it that formed Christians and Christian communities so that they would embody these qualities that attracted outsiders? Two community-forming realities stand out: catechesis and worship
Do animals have rights? Do animals have souls? What does your faith say about animal consciousness, suffering, sacrifice and stewardship?
Sarah Dylan Breuer of Massachusetts reported that the commission wants to maintain ecumenical conversations with other church bodies, “even if the Anglican Communion Office does not.”
Prayers for Bishop Barbara Harris as she recovers from a minor stroke: Bishop Barbara Harris recuperates after stroke From the Diocese of Massachusetts Website After
Canterbury, please know that western people are rejecting Christianity because–as noted in a recent survey of young Americans–Christians are “out of touch with reality.” Being worried about ecclesiastical millinery while Rome burns certainly counts as being out of touch with reality.
Lambeth Palace are investigating the way the leader of The Episcopal Church was treated in Britain this week. The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori has described as “nonsense” and “bizarre” the edict from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Ordinarily it would not be news that in 2006 the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, then presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church USA wore his mitre at Southward Cathedral. But these are not ordinary times. In 2010 the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori was told by Lambath Palace not to cover her hair at Southwark.
The occasion was the ordination of four Episcopal transitional deacons. I had been asked to preach. What to say that could describe the times, the terrain of their ministry over the next 30 years? To whom might I steer them? Who understands and has something pragmatic to say about what they will encounter?